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10 Best Ways To Save Money for Beginners

The advantages of saving are a no-brainer. You figure that no one needs to tell you about them. But you keep creating excuses for why you can’t start saving just yet. It’s never too early to establish solid savings routines, and new savers can gain a lot from learning creative strategies and initiating their financial savings efforts. 

1. Cook at Home

You can save that money you spend in a fancy restaurant or a Starbucks coffee by eating food you cook yourself. Eating out can be expensive. Not only is it cheaper, but it’s also healthier. You can save even more money by buying bulk and meal-prepping for the week.

2. Cut the Cable

The typical monthly cost of a cable TV subscription is about $83, which is hefty. But it’s less required now since there are so many streaming options. Cutting the cable and switching to a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu can help you save money.

3. Shop Secondhand

The savings on the purchase price is one of the most apparent and well-known advantages of secondhand shopping. Used goods are typically up to 50% cheaper than brand-new options.

In a country where people spend over a trillion dollars a year on luxury items, even a little reduction can significantly impact that figure. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are excellent places to discover deals.

4. Use a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat can save you money on your energy bills by regulating the temperature automatically when you are away from home.

You can program it to turn off the heat or air conditioning while at work and turn it back on as you approach home. What you save on electricity or gas using a thermostat can pay back the thermostat many times over.

5. DIY Home Repairs

Trying to fix things yourself can seem daunting. But when you think about how much you can save from repairing a leaky faucet or replacing a light fixture, it’s worth the effort.

While it’s best to leave some projects to professionals, such as installing new windows or changing the location of your home’s plumbing, there’s still so much you can do by yourself in and out of the house. Thankfully, many online tutorials and DIY guides can teach you how to do specific things.

6. Use Coupons and Be happy to Cancel

Coupons and promo codes can save you money on everything from groceries to travel. Many websites and apps offer coupons and promo codes for various retailers. Cancel your subscription for services you’re not using. Think about that gym membership or magazine subscription and ask yourself if you are getting the most out of what you pay for.

7. Take Advantage of Free Entertainment

You can tame your entertainment budget by taking advantage of many free or low-cost options. For example, you can visit a local park, attend a free concert or movie screening, or check out a museum or art gallery.

Don’t succumb to the demands of the spend-yourself-into-oblivion world of today. Finding activities that don’t cost money will help you much with your saving aim. Rest assured that you can still have fun for free.

8. Reduce Shower Time

Small changes in your showering habits can reduce water consumption, save energy and cut water bills. For instance, you can take cold showers in the morning instead of hot ones. There’s also no need to let the water run before your shower. Consider switching to a low-flow showerhead. 

9. Freeze Cards

You are far from attaining your savings objectives if you are prone to overspending or making impulsive purchases.

Freezing your card means that you make them covered in ice blocks. Just thinking about the hassle of getting your card ready before making a purchase can cause you to slow down on your spending habit. Although an extreme measure, it’s a necessary step if you must make saving possible.

10. Create a Budget

Use a budget calendar to track your bills, due dates, paychecks, and other important dates. It’s helpful to get an overview of how much money will flow IN and OUT in a given month. You need to know where your money goes, from little spending to the big ones, and how much you have left over each month to save. By creating a budget, you can see where you’re overspending and identify areas where you can cut back.

This thread inspired this post.